Maria Theresa
1717-1780 reigned 1740-1780
Helping unconditionally
Daughter and successor of the Austrian emperor, Charles the 6th.
No woman has ruled hapsburg lands in her own name.
Frederick II of Prussia seized the Hapsburg province of Silesia, which sparked the 8-year War of the Austrian Succession.
With support from Britain and Russia, Maria Theresa preserved her empire and strengthened Hapsburg power by reorganizing the bureaucracy and improving tax collection (Britain and Russia didn’t want Prussia to upset the balance of power by gaining new lands).
Maria theresa
Her viewpoints and agenda were to strengthen Austria and reclaim lost territory.
Preserved her empire. Strengthened Hapsburg power and first women to be emperor.
She improved tax collection. She wanted to strengthen Austria and reclaim lost territory.